UK supermarket teams up with Streamline and Visa Europe to launch NFC technology

UK supermarket teams up with Streamline and Visa Europe to launch NFC technology

Asda, the UK’s second largest supermarket retailer, has announced that this summer it will become the latest business in the UK to introduce contactless payments in partnership with Streamline and Visa Europe.

The new near field communications (NFC) contactless technology payment option will be available across 25 stores from July onwards and is expected to reduce queues, especially during peak periods.

Gearing up for summer pilot

The contactless technology will allow Asda customers with Visa cards that have NFC chips to tap a contactless reader at the point of sale to pay in less than a second for goods o up to £15. This limit will rise to £20 from 1 June.

While Asda made no general comment at the time of the announcement, Matthew Rowsell, Chief commercial officer at merchant account provider Streamline, said: “Bringing Asda on board reinforces how popular and necessary contactless has become.”

Asda joins a number of retailers and fast food chains in rolling out contactless payment functionality to customers. Earlier adopters include Lakeland, Wilkinsons and McDonald's.